Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Interior Design Program

The Master of Interior Design (MID) program at the University of Manitoba prepares students to work nationally and internationally at the forefront of the profession. Interior designers emerging from this program have an established reputation for successful collaboration in the building industry. Areas of expertise in the department include universal access, cultural theory, design theory, design education, lighting, work environments, human comfort, and profession-based research.

Program Details

The MID program is offered through the Faculty of Architecture and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. It is a recognized accredited program that meets the standards of the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). The First-Professional Master of Interior Design degree also meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) Examination.

Degree Options

• Master of Interior Design

Expected Duration

• 2 years for the first-professional program
• 1.5 years for the post-professional program
• 1 year for the pre-master's program

Program Options

• First-professional program: Directed towards those interested in pursuing a career in Interior Design practice.
• Post-professional program: Directed towards those who already hold a first-professional qualification in Interior Design, with a research orientation.
• Pre-master's program: For students with undergraduate course deficiencies, to complete background requirements before applying to the graduate program.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the admission requirements described here, all applicants must meet the minimum admission and English language proficiency requirements of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

English Language Proficiency

• CAEL: 70
• CanTest - Listening and Reading: 4.75
• CanTest - Writing and Oral: 4.0
• IELTS: 7.0
• TOEFL - iBT: 94

First-Professional Program Admission Requirements

• Minimum of an undergraduate degree in Interior Design or Environmental Design (Interior Environment Option) from the Faculty of Architecture.
• Applicants with degrees in other fields are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Post-Professional Program Admission Requirements

• Minimum of a CIDA undergraduate degree in Interior Design plus three years of work experience in the field.

Pre-Master's Admission Requirements

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree.

Application Process

Applications for the MID program are accepted for September entry only. A supervisor is required at the time of application. The application must be completed online and includes several parts:

• Application fee (non-refundable)
• Unofficial copies of transcripts and degree certificates
• Current CV
• Two letters of recommendation
• Statement of intent
• Research proposal (Post-professional program only)
• Digital portfolio (PDF Format, maximum size 20MB)
• Proof of English language proficiency, if required

Application Deadlines

• Canadian and US applicants: January 15 for Fall (September) entry
• International applicants: December 1 for Fall (September) entry

Program Structure

All Master of Interior Design students complete either a thesis or a practicum in their area of expertise. The program emphasizes the creation of human-centered and context-based design solutions that respond to the needs of contemporary life. The course of studies consists of design studios and support courses that develop the methods, processes, technical, and theoretical foundations of interior design.

Thesis and Practicum Opportunities

• All Master of Interior Design students complete either a thesis or a practicum in their area of expertise.
• For the practicum, students work in consultation with an advisory committee to formulate and develop the design project.
• The thesis may include investigation aimed at discovering or interpreting facts, challenging or revising accepted theories or laws, or ordering and synthesizing existing findings to support a conclusion that could open up new research directions.

Design Studios

• Students put knowledge into practice throughout the Master of Interior Design (MID) program through design studios, creating opportunities for extending collaborative perspectives and theoretical understanding.

Inspiring Facilities

• Studios are augmented by a growing array of making and thinking facilities: a FABLab, CADLab, Workshop, Architecture/Fine Arts Library, and Centre for Architectural Structures and Technology (C.A.S.T.).

Faculty Research

• The Faculty of Architecture is committed to pursuing research excellence while fostering a supportive and collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.

Accreditation

The Interior Design professional program at the University of Manitoba is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).

Conclusion

The Master of Interior Design program at the University of Manitoba offers a comprehensive education in interior design, preparing students for successful careers in the field. With its strong focus on design excellence, teaching, and research, the program demonstrates its commitment to improving the quality of the built environment and the associated ecological, economic, physical, and social well-being of the global community.